Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for seniors meet to advance the social well-being of Canadian Seniors

News Release

Federal, provincial and territorial governments are working together to support present and future generations of older Canadians in meaningful ways.

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development for Newfoundland and Labrador, co-chaired the 18th meeting of the Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum. The Forum met to review progress on current work, discuss new and emerging jurisdictional issues, and reaffirm the value of the Forum itself as an important mechanism for sharing information, facilitating collaboration across jurisdictions and applying a “seniors lens” to key policy issues.

The meeting included discussions about further advancing policy work through collaborative projects and establishing common priorities for action over the upcoming years. These new priorities reflect the Forum’s commitment to ensure the well-being and the full inclusion of seniors in society. Accordingly, the Forum will focus on: the role of accessible and affordable housing and community supports in facilitating aging at home and in community; the socio-economic impact of ageism and ways to address it; and the labour market participation of an aging workforce.

The senior population is larger than ever before. This is creating opportunities for all governments to place value and build on the contributions that our seniors have made, and continue to make, to our communities, our workplaces and our families. The Forum is key to helping governments keep abreast of issues important to seniors. The ministers will reconvene in late 2018 for the 19th Meeting of FPT Ministers Responsible for Seniors.

All governments contribute to the FPT Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum by sharing information, expertise and innovative practices. However, Quebec does not subscribe to pan-Canadian approaches with reference to seniors as it intends to continue to fulfill its responsibilities to seniors in Quebec.

Quotes

“The aging Canadian population is expected to present significant social and economic changes over the next decades. Our collective challenge will be to figure out how we can tap into the experience, skills and knowledge of this older generation so that they can continue to live well, to the benefit of our society in the future. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories in supporting and promoting seniors’ economic and social inclusion.”– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“The discussions with my provincial, territorial and federal colleagues today have strengthened our commitment to addressing the needs – and appreciating the opportunities – of Canada’s aging population. The development and implementation of policies, programs and resources that engage seniors, and facilitate healthy aging, will not only benefit older adults, but all citizens.”– The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development for Newfoundland and Labrador

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